MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND:  TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACCELERATION PROGRAM

Senate Bill 1195

Sponsor:  Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom

House Committee:  Commerce

Senate Committee:  Agriculture

Complete to 9-16-08

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1195 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

The bill would amend the Michigan Strategic Fund Act (MCL 125.2088o) to require the technology transfer program created by that act "to accelerate the transfer of technology from Michigan's institutions of higher education to the private sector for commercialization of competitive edge technologies and bioeconomy technologies."  The program would be specifically charged with helping with the following things: 

·                    Identification of commercial potential in advance technologies from individual institutions.

·                    Bundling inventions from individual institutions into packages of possible interest to private sector firms.

·                    Encouraging business formation efforts in higher education technology transfer offices to increase the number of school-related start-up companies.

·                    Encouraging institutions to provide incentives to their faculty for participating in technology transfer and commercialization activities.

·                    Facilitate the use of applied research expertise within institutions.

           

            The bill has similar content to House Bill 5774, which has passed the House.

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in process. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch 

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.